Photosynth

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A clipped informal form of photosynthesis, the process by which green plants convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen
2. Short informal name for the light-driven process in which plants and some bacteria build food from carbon dioxide and water
3. Casual abbreviation for the biological process through which chlorophyll-containing organisms capture sunlight to produce energy-rich sugars

Etymology: Plants make their own food from light, water and air, and the name for this process is built from two Greek roots. "Phos" means light, and "synthesis" comes from "syn-" (together) and "tithenai" (to place), so the term literally describes putting things together to make a whole. Like many scientific terms, it is a modern coinage from classical roots, not a word the ancient Greeks used for plant biology. "Photosynth" is a clipped form of "photosynthesis," made by dropping the final syllables. Clipping is common in informal speech and in classroom shorthand, and the shorter form keeps the same meaning as the full term.